How many litters is too many?

I was looking for a female cream pom and this man has now offered me a male cream pom. Questions:I asked him how many litters his girl had already had. He said 6. Is that too many? Secondly, he is asking $225. Should I be leary? Thirdly, He only offers a 72 hour health guarantee. Is that any good? Fourthly, can male poms be house trained or will they always want to mark their territory? Please help me. I know nothing about buying dogs. It's been 7 years since my last purchase!

3 day guarantee? STAY AWAY!!!! 6 litters? how old is she? if he started breeding her at two yrs.old and only bred her until she was 6 yrs which is a good age to stop breeding she could have a total of 8 litters if she was bred at each heat cycle which is too often. male dogs can be housetrained as easily as female dogs. they will not urinate all over the house if they are neutered. advice stay away.

Six litters sounds like too many. Should wait till they are at least 2 years old and definitely not breed with each heat cycle. With doing that she would be 8 years old now and I think that is too old to be having puppies. He may be breeding with each heat cycle. My pug breeder waits till they are 2 or 3 years old, then they only have 3 litters, not back to back, then she spays them. If he only has a 72 hour health guarantee, and nothing else, that's not good. It should be longer, like a year or two. Male poms can be housetrained, if they are neutered by six months it will decrease or eliminate leg lifting, but with a little dog you have to be real serious with it and consistent. Supervision and limit access to the house or apt. I guess I would pass on this one, too.

he's not sure how many litters she's had? i do not understand how you can be breeding a dog and not know how many litters she's had. unless she's had too many to count in which case makes me very scared!

run..run fast. this doesn't sound very good at all to me. there should be at least a year guarantee with your little guy. sounds like he just keeps breeding her, she must be awful tired, poor little think. yes, males can be housetrained. sometimes it just takes a little longer. i would look for a more reputable breeder.

The best advice I can give is never buy a dog over the internet or store. Go to a dog show and ask breeders of the breed you desire advice. If you go to a dog show and meet the breeders, they will know who has pups coming up. Also, what they view as less desireable in a show dog, is usually more desireable in a pet dog that's purebred. You can get their "pet quality" dog that's probably far better that internet breeders and pet store "show" quality dogs.

To add to Jetz comment - You CAN find good breeders on the internet - but it is advisable to look for one that does something with their dogs other than JUST breed. A lot of breeders who actively show advertise on the internet. But you should expect them to be active doing SOMETHING with their dog outside of breeding (showing in conformation, agility, obedience, herding, field trials...). Sometimes breeders who don't show, but are working their dogs at what the breed was meant to do are better breeders.

You also want at least a 2 year health guarantee. If the breeder isn't willing to offer that, it's usually a sign that they see a lot of problems from their puppies - and a lot of joint issues show up after a year (with Poms Luxating Patellas would be a biggy) that are treatable, but can be spendy to treat. Make sure your guarantee isn't JUST a fatal guarantee and that it offers a refund option and not just a "replacement". If it is a "replacement" guarantee that you could get a puppy from unrelated parents. Your guarantee shouldn't be restrictive. It should make you feel more confident in the breeder.

Keep in mind that while I'm sure you're on a budget as most folks are, sometimes what you spend on the initial puppy is reflective of what kind of vet care you'll have in the first 2-3 years. A cheaper puppy often means higher vet bills from things like parasite problems, skin problems, and inherited defects - not to mention training issues that may be posed due to poor temperament.

As you're talking with your potential breeder, ask yourself "Are they doing this because they love the breed and want to put better Poms in the world?" Or "Are they doing this because they think puppies are fun and might make money". If you aren't SURE your breeder puts their dogs, puppies and you above making a buck - run. Once you talk to a great breeder, you'll know a less great one when you see them!